Tournament Bracket Set

The brackets for the Johnston Christian Academy Holiday Tournament have been set. The Storm will play Neuse Baptist in the first round at 6:00PM on New Year's Day. Click on the bracket in the post below to get a larger view of the whole bracket.

JCA Holiday Tournament Bracket

Storm vs. East Wake Academy Eagles (Part 2)

A Valiant Effort

Despite dressing only 6 players, the Storm took the East Wake Academy Eagles to the wire before falling 65-64 Friday night at New Life Camp. Four of the top seven scorers for the Storm were not available to play, leaving only Rebecca and the five 8th graders to try to avenge Tuesday’s overtime loss. After a perfectly-executed opening tip play (Hannah Grace to Shelby to Rebecca for the layup), East Wake soon grabbed an early lead they never relinquished. The Carlsons provided the early scoring for NLC, with Rebecca and Hannah scoring the team’s first 18 points. The Eagles led by as much as 10 points in the first half before the Storm closed to 33-28 at the half. The second half again had East Wake maintaining their lead but unable to pull away from the Storm, setting up an exciting 4th quarter. With the Eagles up by 9 and looking ready to pull away, 5 straight points from Hannah Grace made it 55-51. Shelby, who had neutralized East Wake’s big post player for most of the game, fouled out with 2 minutes to play. A layup and baseline jumper from Georgia brought NLC within 2 at 59-57, and the Storm had a good shot to tie it that didn’t go in. Rebecca fouled out with just over a minute to go, leaving the Storm with only 4 players, but they still weren’t finished. They kept fighting to the end, when Hannah Grace banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the final margin. It was a valiant effort by the young Storm, but they came up just a little bit short in the end. Hannah Grace MacDonald had a breakout game, leading the Storm with 24 points and 8 rebounds, while Rebecca Carlson finished with 19 points.

Storm vs. East Wake Academy Eagles

The Storm dropped their first game of the season Tuesday, losing in overtime to the Eagles of East Wake Academy 50-43 in Zebulon. Playing without Anna and Ryan, two regular starters, the short-handed Storm took an early lead and held it through most of the game. They led by 3 after the first quarter, by 7 at halftime, and by 4 after 3 quarters. East Wake came back in the 4th quarter and took the lead, but the Storm tied the game to send it to overtime. It was a very physical game, and Rebecca, Daryl, and Shelby all fouled out before overtime. The team fought hard and gave it everything they had, but just didn’t have enough left in OT. Rebecca Carlson led in scoring with 16, while Daryl Munroe pulled down 18 rebounds for the Storm. This Friday, the Storm has a rematch with East Wake at home at 5:00.

Holiday Tournament!

The Storm will be ringing in 2009 playing in a holiday tournament at Johnston Christian in Smithfield. The dates are January 1-3. More details to come...

NLC Storm vs. Neuse Baptist Lions

NLC Storm 36 Neuse Baptist Lions 22

The Storm won at home for the second consecutive night, with a 36-22 victory over the Lions of Neuse Baptist Christian School. This win runs the team’s record on the season to 4-0. After facing their only deficit of the season at 2-0, the Storm soon took the lead and never trailed again. A second quarter full-court press proved effective as they pulled out to a 24-8 lead at the half. A couple of third quarter 3-pointers helped prevent the Lions from tightening the game, as the lead remained in double-digits through the whole second half. Rebecca led the Storm in scoring with 10 points, while Anna led in rebounding with 14 boards. After blistering the nets against Trinity Monday, the Storm had to overcome a cold-shooting night (21% for the game) but did it by once again playing solid defense. On the season they have now held their opponents under 10 points in 14 of the 16 quarters of play!

Storm vs. Trinity Academy Tigers

NLC Storm 87 Trinity Tigers 24

The Storm played their first home game of the season before a packed house and won 87-24 over the Trinity Academy Tigers. Playing the first game in their stylish new uniforms, the Storm stole the ball on the first several Trinity possessions and raced out to a 16-0 lead to start the game. They passed the ball long for fast break basket after fast break basket and led 28-6 at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter was more of the same, with some torrid jump shooting added in, and the lead grew to 59-9 at the half. All 10 Storm players scored in the game, led by Daryl Munroe with 16. Shelby Suffridge led in rebounding with 10, and Rebecca Carlson nearly had a triple double, finishing with 15 points, 11 assists, and 9 steals. The team moved the ball around well, hitting 57% of their shots and getting 29 assists on their 41 made FG. They also finished with 21 steals, the second consecutive game with over 20.

Full team statistics on MaxPreps link at right

Storm vs. Masonic Children's Home

Storm 44 Masonic Children's Home 27

Another strong showing from the New Life Camp Storm. The team started strong, leading the entire game. Stiffling defense with 25 steals held the Masonic team in check. Rebecca Carlson led in scoring with 13 points. Anna Vanover led in rebounds with 10.

Full team statistics on MaxPreps link at right